Machine and method for cutting slugs having a uniform linear dimension

ABSTRACT

In a cutting machine wherein rod or other stock is fed past a cutter blade to abut against an end stop so that slugs of predetermined length may be severed from the stock, the end stop is permitted to pivot toward the cutter blade when the cutting process begins. If the stock is not abutting the end stop, which would result in a slug of other than the predetermined length being produced, the end stop shifts toward the cutter blade changing the condition of a switch. The switch operates a mechanical deflector which redirects the severed slug for rejection. If the stock is abutting the end stop when it is released, the end stop does not shift and the severed slug is accepted.

[ 1 Oct. 14, 1975 United States Patent Boden X m 3 RN S P mm l m m o m wo mm 3 m o T CW RL m m m WA G W? n w C A mnn m Attorney, Agent, orFirmJohn H. Lewis, Jr.;

Nicholas Skovran'; William L. Erickson [75] Inventor: Frank P. Boden,Trumbull, Conn.

[ ABSTRACT In a cutting machine wherein rod or other stock is fed [22]Filed:

past a cutter blade to abut against an end stop so that slugs ofpredetermined length may be severed from the stock, the end stop ispermitted to pivot toward the cutter blade when the cutting processbegins. If

the stock is not abutting the end stop, which would result in a slug ofother than the predetermined length being produced, the end stop shiftstoward the cutter M O 4/ H/74 3 6% 0 2 @W N WO 8 8. m0 W. "8 "a 3 "9 8"7 n n u mh "c H n m t q 5 5 mm U IF H UN H Um blade changing thecondition of a switch. The switch operates a mechanical deflector whichredirects the severed slug for rejection. If the stock is abutting theend stop when it is released, the end stop does not shift and thesevered slug is accepted.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,883,047 10/1932 Spire83/80 3,543,929 12/!970 83/79 X 8 Clalms, 8 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 53,911,770

U.S. Patent Oct.'14, 1975 Sheet 3 of 5 3,911,770

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 a pm m.

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 4 of5 3,911,770

Sheet 5 of 5 3,911,770

U. S. Patent Oct. 14,1975

FIG. 6.

MACHINE AND NIETHOD FOR CUTTING SLUGS HAVING A UNIFORM LINEAR DIMENSIONThis invention relates to means for segregating articles of improperlength from articles of proper length. More specifically, the inventionrelates to apparatus which severs articles from stock and, in the sameoperation, segregates articles which may be either longer or shorterthan a predetermined desired length.

In general, the invention relates to apparatus for producing articles,blanks or slugs intended to be used in a process which depends uponuniform length of the articles, blanks or slugs for smooth operation andfor avoiding tool smashups, jams, etc. The apparatus of the presentinvention severs articles from moving stock and passes them to asuitable location for further disposition. The severed articles whichare greater or less in length than a predetermined dimension arerejected and separately disposed from those having a length equal to thepredetermined dimension.

Machines for cutting articles, blanks or slugs from stock are well knownand generally comprise means for moving stock, such as sheet or rodstock for example, past a cutter and an end stop in the path of thestock for limiting the travel thereof while the cutter severs an articleor slug therefrom. If the stock has come to rest against the end stopbefore the cutting process has begun, the severed slug will have apredetermined length substantially equal to the distance from the endstop to the cutter blade. However, because the cutter is cyclicallyoperated and slippage of the stock or other factors may prevent thestock from reaching the end stop before cutting begins, slug length isnot always uniform. If the stock has failed to reach the end stop beforecutting begins, a short slug will be produced. If the stock has slippedpast the end stop before cutting has commenced, a long slug is produced.

If these slugs are to be used in a process which requires uniformlength, some means must be provided for separation of proper lengthslugs from improper length slugs. One highly successful apparatus foraccomplishing this is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,749,242, issued toGeorge R. Eckstein on July 31, 1973. However, the use of any suchsorting apparatus inherently entails an additional handling step whichis expensive in terms of time, space and money.

In accordance with this invention, a cutting apparatus is providedwhich, upon severing each slug, determines whether the length ofthe-slug is equal to a predetermined dimension. If the stock abuts astop member so that a slug equal in length to the predetermineddimension is produced, the end stop and an attached detector are held inplace and the slug is accepted. If the stock does not reach the end stopwhen cutting commences so that a short slug is severed, the detector ispermitted to shift toward the cutter blade operating a switching meanswhich causes the severed slug to be deflected and separated from thoseslugs having a length equal to the predetermined dimension. If the stockslips past the end stop before severing commences, it passes the stopmember, again permitting the detector to shift toward the cutter bladeand reject the severed slug. In this manner, slugs may be cut and sortedin a single operation ensuring uniformity in length without thenecessity of a separate sorting operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for severingarticles from stock. I

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus forsevering articles having a predetermined linear dimension from stock.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an apparatusfor-severing articles having a predetermined linear dimension from stockand segregating therefrom articles having a linear dimension differentfrom said predetermined linear dimension.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be readilyapparent when the following Specification is read in conjunction withthe appended drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic view of a slug cutting machine in accordancewith this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned front view of the slug cutting machineof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an additionalphase of operation of the slug cutting machine of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustratingoperation of a deflector of the slug cutting machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 55 ofFIG. 2 illustrating camming operation of the slug cutting machine;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front view similar to FIG. 2 furtherillustrating operation of the slug cutting machine of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the slug cutting machine of this invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating operation of thealternate embodiment of FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a slug cutting machine 11 is illustrated whichmay be mounted in any suitable frame for severing slugs of predeterminedlength from stock 12. The stock 12 may be a plastic or other suitablematerial and is fed to the machine 11 by a stock transport means such asa pair of rollers 14.

The stock 12 is propelled by the rollers 14 through a suitably shapedopening 15a of a cutting block 15. In the embodiment illustrated, theopening 15a is circular to accommodate the circular cross section of thestock 12. It should be noted, however, that stock having a square,rectangular or other cross section may be cut into segments having auniform linear dimension by a cutting machine in accordance with thisinvention. A slot 15b in the cutting block 15 accommodates passage of acutting blade 16.

The cutting blade 16 is mounted in a suitable blade holder 17 on a camshaft 20. The cam shaft is connected to an electric motor or othersuitable drive means for causing continuous uniform rotation of the camshaft in a direction such as that indicated by the arrow 21. A cam 22and a cam 24 are mounted on the cam shaft 20 producing predeterminedoperating patterns for cam followers 25 and 26, respectively, in amanner which will be subsequently described herein.

A detector lever 30 is secured to a suitable fulcrum 31 by means of afulcrum pin 32 passed through aligned openings in the detector lever 30and the fulcrum 31. The fulcrum 31 is firmly secured by any suitablemeans to the frame.

The detector lever 30 preferably has a long leg 30a and a short leg 30bextending outwardly from the fulcrum pin 32. A stop member 35 is securedto the detector lever 30 by a hinge pin 36 passed through alignedopenings in a central portion 35a of the stop member and a pair ofspaced ears 300 on the short leg b of the detector lever.

During operation of the slug cutting machine 1 l, the stock 12 is fed bythe rollers 14 through the cutting block 15. If desired, the openings15a in the cutting block 15 may be of a standard size and shape. Guidebushings 37 (see FIG. 2) are fitted into the openings 15a and can beselected to accommodate stock of any desired cross section, size andshape.

A first end portion b of the stop member 35 is positioned in the path oftravel of the stock 12 as it moves past the cutting blade 16 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 39 and is spaced a predetermined lineardistance from the cutting blade 16. This spatial relationship preciselydetermines the length of any slug 40 which is cut from the stock. Thestock 12 moves past the cutting blade 16 until it abuts the end 35b ofthe stop member. A slip clutch or other mechanism may be provided in theoperating mechanism of the drive rollers 14 in a well known manner foroperation after the stock has contacted the stop member 35. The cuttingblade 16, moving in a direction indicated by the arrow 41 in FIG. 1,then engages the stock 12 severing a slug 40 of predetermined lengththerefrom.

The stop member 35 is pivotably mounted on the hinge pin 36 tofacilitate release of a severed slug 40. Referring to .FIGS. 1 and 5,the cam follower 26 is attached to an operating rod 42 which is mountedin suitable bearings (not shown) on the frame.

The interaction of the cam 24 and cam follower 26 due to the profile ofthe cam 24 produces a reciprocating rotational motion of the operatingrod 42, one oscillation of the rod 42 being produced for each completerotation of the cam 24. A slug release arm 44 is secured to theoperating rod 42 and, therefore, oscillates at the same rate. As aresult, a suitable bearing surface such as a roller 45 secured to thedistal end of the slug release arm 44 moves in a verticallyreciprocating pattern at one complete cycle for each rotation of the camshaft 20.

The profile of the cam 24 is coordinated with the operation of thecutting blade 16 so that after a slug 40 has been completely severedfrom the stock 12, the roller 45 moves vertically downward engaging asecond end portion 35c (FIG. 3) of the stop member 35. The stop member35 is thus caused to rotate in a counter clockwise direction as viewedin FIG. 3 moving the first end portion 35b vertically upward and out ofthe path of travel of the stock 12. Its motion no longer inhibited, thestock 12 continues in the direction of the arrow 39 pushing the severedslug 40 out of the guide bushing 37. The slug 40 is then free to fallthrough an upper chute 46 and deflector 47 for further distribution in amanner to be subsequently described. Once the slug has fallen, theroller 45, due to further motion of the cam 24, releases the stop member35 which is returned by a biasing spring 49 to the position shown inFIG. 2. It should be noted that proper operation of the slug cuttingmachine 11 requires that the stop member 35 be returned to the positionof FIG. 2 before the advancing end of the stock 12 has reached the firstend portion 35b.

By mounting the stop member 35 on the hinged detector lever 30, the slugcutting machine 11 of this invention can be made to separate severedslugs having a predetermined linear dimension from slugs for which thelinear dimension is either greater or less. An electrical switch 50 ismounted on the cutting machine in a position to be operated by the longleg 30a of the detector lever 30. If desired, a threaded member 51 maybe attached through a suitable opening in the long leg 30a to providefine adjustment for the operation of the switch 50.

During a substantial portion of each rotation of the cam shaft 20, thedetector lever is held in a position engaging the switch 50 by a finger25a extending from the cam follower 25. Again, if desired, a threadedmember 52 may be used for fine adjustment.

While the stock 12 is being fed by the rollers 14 past the cutter 16toward the first end portion 35b of the stop member 35, interaction ofthe cam 22 and cam follower 25 causes the finger 25a to hold thedetector lever 30 in the position shown in FIG. 2. As a result, theswitch 50 is depressed and the first end portion 35b of the stop member35 is held at the desired predetermined distance from the cutting blade16. When the cutting blade 16 begins to sever a slug from the stock 12(FIG. 1) so that further motion of the stock in the direction of thearrow 39 is prevented, the cam 22 releases the cam follower 25 so thatthe finger 25a no longer prevents motion of the detector lever 30. Thedetector lever 30 is then urged toward clockwise rotation, as seen inFIG. 2, by a biasing spring 54.

If the leading surface of the stock 12 is properly positioned againstthe first end portion 35b of the stop member, this interaction willprevent any rotation of the detector lever 30 so that the threadedmember 51 will continue to engage the switch 50. However, if, for somereason, the stock 12 has not advanced the required distance to theposition illustrated by a dashed line in FIG. 6 and has, therefore, notengaged the stop member 35, the biasing spring 54 will cause thedetector lever 30 to rotate around the fulcrum pin 32 in a clockwisedirection until the stop member 35 engages the stock 12 or the long leg30a of the detector lever is engaged by a stop screw 55. The clockwisemotion of the detector lever 30 causes the long leg 30a to release theswitch 50, thereby changing its operative condition. Upon continuedrotation of the cam shaft 20 (FIGS. 1 and 5), the cam 22 again engagesthe cam follower 25 causing the threaded member 52 on the finger 25a toreturn the detector lever 30 in a counter clockwise direction tore-engage the switch 50. The cam 24 causes the severed slug to bereleased in the manner heretofore described.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the switch 50 is electrically connectedto a relay 56 which is in turn electrically connected to a solenoidvalve (not shown) controlling the application of compressed air to anair cylinder 57 having a cylinder rod 59. The cylinder rod 59 is securedto the deflector 47 by a swivel connector 60. A second swivel connector61 connects the deflector 47 to the frame. Operation of the switch 50causes the relay 56 to operate the solenoid valve and shift the positionof the cylinder rod 59 within the air cylinder 57. When the switch 50 isin its normal condition with the switch 50 being depressed by thethreaded member 51 on the detector lever 30, the deflector 47 is held inthe position shown by solid lines in FIG. 4. Release of the switch 50activates the relay causing the solenoid valve to supply air to the aircylinder 57 so that the cylinder rod 59 moves the deflector 47 to theposition shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4.

A bifurcated lower chute 62 (FIG. 4) is mounted on the slug cuttingmachine 11 beneath the deflector 47 for directing the slugs 40 tocollection containers (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, a firstportion 62a of the lower chute directs slugs to one collection containerwhile a second portion 62b directs slugs toward a second container.

Operation of the deflector 47 to separate slugs having a predeterminedlinear dimension from slugs having another linear dimension'isillustrated by FIG. 4. When a slug is severed from the stock 12 and thestop member 35 is moved from its path by the slug release arm, the slug30 is pushed by the moving stock l2"from the guide bushing 37 and fallsthrough the upper chute 46 as is illustrated by the slug numbered 40A.If, prior to cutting, the stock fully advanced to a position abuttingthe stop member '35 so' that shifting of the stop member was preventedand the switch 50 remains depressed, the deflector 47 will remain in theposition shown as solid lines and the slug will pass therethrough, asshown by the slug 408. From the deflector 47, the slug is directed alongthe first portion 62a of the lower chute 62 as shown at 40C. In thismanner, each slug having a linear dimension equal to the preset distancebetween the stop member 35 and the cutting blade 16 will be directedalong the first portion 62a of the chute 62 into one collectioncontainer.

If, however, when the slug 40 is severed from the stock 12, it isshorter than the predetermined linear dimension or if, due tomisalignment, the end of the stock had moved past the stop member 35 sothat the slug is longer than the predetermined linear dimension, thestop member 35 will shift as shown in FIG. 6 releasing the switch 50 andcausing the air cylinder 57 to move the deflector to the position shownby dashed lines in FIG. 4. Because the switch 50 is operated before theslug 40 has been cut, the cylinder rod 59 can move sufficiently swiftlywithin the air cylinder so that the short (or long) slug is directedalong the second portion 62b of the lower chute 62 as shown by the slug40D and into a separate collection container. In this manner, any slughaving a linear dimension either less than or greater than thepredetermined linear dimension is deposited in a container separate fromthose slugs having the predetermined dimension.

Thus, a slug cutting machine is provided wherein slugs having a uniformlinear dimension are severed from stock by moving the stock past thecutting blade until it abuts a stop member a predetermined distancebeyond the cutting blade and then severing the slug with the cuttingblade. The stop member is moved from the path of the stock and the slugis directed through chutes and a deflector to a collection container. Ifthe stock is not abutting the stop member while the cutting blade issevering a slug, the stop member shifts toward the cutting blade when adetector lever is released and the deflector is shifted to an alternateposition to reject the slug.

In an alternate embodiment (see FIG. 7), the stop member 35 is securedby the hinge pin 36 directly to the frame of the slug cutting machine.Thus, the detector lever 30 is omitted. Instead, a sensor 64 is mountedon the stop member 35 at the first end portion 35b. The sensor 64, whichmay be any switching device of proper sensitivity, is the functionalequivalent of the switch 50 of FIGS. 1-3. The sensor 64 is placed in afirst operating condition when the stock 12 abuts the stop member 35causing the deflector 47 to direct the severed slug along the firstportion 62a of the lower chute 62 of FIG. 4. If the stock 12 does notabut the stop member 35 while the slug is being severed, the sensor 64will be in a second operating condition caus'ing'the deflector 47 todirect the slug toward the second portion 62b of the chute 62.

If this configuration is utilized, the relay 56 could be controlledthrough a circuit such as that illustrated in FIG. 8. The relay 56 isconnected to a source of operating voltage V through the sensor 64 and acam operated switch 65. The cam operated switch 65 is preferablycontrolled by the cam 22 and is closed when the cutting blade begins tocut the stock 12.

As an additional alternative, a fixed stop member, separate from thestop member 35, could be provided to terminate travel of the stock 12while the stop member 35 (or its equivalent) and detector lever 30 areprovided solely to operate the switch 50. Additional changes of astructural or functional nature can be made in the slug cutting machine1 1 without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

I claim: v

1. A machine for cutting pieces having a uniform linear dimension fromstock moving past a cutting means, along a path of travel, said machinecomprising cutting means for severing pieces from stock, a pivotablymounted arm, a stop member mounted on the arm and positioned in the pathof travel of the stock a predetermined distance from the cutting meanswhen the arm is in a normal operating position, biasing means for movingthe arm from the normal operating position in a direction to move thestop means toward the cutting means, camming means for selectivelyholding the arm in and releasing the arm from its normal operatingposition, means for directing each severed piece to a first collectionarea, deflector means operable to divert a piece to a second collectionarea, switching means responsive to motion of the arm to operate thedeflector means for diverting a piece when the arm moves from its normaloperating position.

2. A method of cutting pieces having a uniform linear dimension fromstock, said method comprising the steps of moving stock past a cutter ata fixed location toward a stop member while holding the stop member in afixed position and permitting the stock to abut the stop member if ithas moved that far during a predetermined interval, then releasing thestop member and biasing it toward the stock, utilizing the cutter tosever a piece from the stock, and directing the severed piece in onedirection if the stop member shifts toward the stock while released andin another direction if the stop member doesnt shift toward the stockwhile released.

3. A machine for cutting pieces having a uniform length from stock ofindefinite length feeding lengthwise past a cutting means, said machinecomprising: cutting means repetitively operable for severing pieces fromthe stock; stop means mounted for movement lengthwise of the stock intoabutment with the end of the stock, said stop means being movablebetween a predetermined position at a distance from said cutting meansequal to said uniform length, and locations spaced closer to saidcutting means; biasing means for urging said stop means toward saidcutting means; holding means constructed and arranged for placing saidstop means in said predetermined position during intervals betweenoperations of said cutting means to permit the stock to feed past saidcutting means toward said predetermined position, and for releasing saidstop means during operation of said cutting means to permit said biasingmeans to urge said stop means toward said cutting means and against theend of the stock; rejecting means for separating pieces cut off from thestock by said cutting means; and sensing means responsive to theposition assumed by said stop means after release thereof by saidholding means, and operatively connected for controlling said rejectingmeans to separate pieces cut from the stock while the stock engages saidstop means at said predetermined position from other pieces cut from thestock.

4. A machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said sensing means isresponsive to abutment thereof by the stock, and is mounted on said stopmeans in a position for abutment by the stock and spaced, when said stopis in said predetermined position, at a distance from said cutting meansequal to said uniform length.

5. A machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said sensing means has firstand second alternative operative conditions, and said rejecting meanshas a first position for directing pieces in one direction when saidsensing means is in a first operative condition and a second positionfor directing pieces in another direction when said sensing means is ina second operative condition, and wherein said sensing means is placedin said first operative condition by movement of said stop means to saidpredetermined position, and in said second operative condition bymovement of said stop means from said predetermined position.

6. A machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said sensing means comprisesswitch means actuable to said first and second operative conditions bycorresponding movements of said stop means to and from said predetermined position.

7. A machine as recited in claim 3, together with lever means pivotallymounting said stop means for said movement lengthwise of the stock, andfor oscillatory movement between a position aligned lengthwise with thestock for abutment therewith and a position misaligned from the stock toavoid interference with removal of cut pieces thereof.

8. A machine as recited in claim 7, in which said holding means areconstructed and arranged for placing said stop means in said misalignedposition upon completion of each operation of said cutting means andrestoring said stop means to said aligned position prior to eachsubsequent operation of said cutting means.

1. A machine for cutting pieces having a uniform linear dimension fromstock moving past a cutting means, along a path Of travel, said machinecomprising cutting means for severing pieces from stock, a pivotablymounted arm, a stop member mounted on the arm and positioned in the pathof travel of the stock a predetermined distance from the cutting meanswhen the arm is in a normal operating position, biasing means for movingthe arm from the normal operating position in a direction to move thestop means toward the cutting means, camming means for selectivelyholding the arm in and releasing the arm from its normal operatingposition, means for directing each severed piece to a first collectionarea, deflector means operable to divert a piece to a second collectionarea, switching means responsive to motion of the arm to operate thedeflector means for diverting a piece when the arm moves from its normaloperating position.
 2. A method of cutting pieces having a uniformlinear dimension from stock, said method comprising the steps of movingstock past a cutter at a fixed location toward a stop member whileholding the stop member in a fixed position and permitting the stock toabut the stop member if it has moved that far during a predeterminedinterval, then releasing the stop member and biasing it toward thestock, utilizing the cutter to sever a piece from the stock, anddirecting the severed piece in one direction if the stop member shiftstoward the stock while released and in another direction if the stopmember doesn''t shift toward the stock while released.
 3. A machine forcutting pieces having a uniform length from stock of indefinite lengthfeeding lengthwise past a cutting means, said machine comprising:cutting means repetitively operable for severing pieces from the stock;stop means mounted for movement lengthwise of the stock into abutmentwith the end of the stock, said stop means being movable between apredetermined position at a distance from said cutting means equal tosaid uniform length, and locations spaced closer to said cutting means;biasing means for urging said stop means toward said cutting means;holding means constructed and arranged for placing said stop means insaid predetermined position during intervals between operations of saidcutting means to permit the stock to feed past said cutting means towardsaid predetermined position, and for releasing said stop means duringoperation of said cutting means to permit said biasing means to urgesaid stop means toward said cutting means and against the end of thestock; rejecting means for separating pieces cut off from the stock bysaid cutting means; and sensing means responsive to the position assumedby said stop means after release thereof by said holding means, andoperatively connected for controlling said rejecting means to separatepieces cut from the stock while the stock engages said stop means atsaid predetermined position from other pieces cut from the stock.
 4. Amachine as recited in claim 3, wherein said sensing means is responsiveto abutment thereof by the stock, and is mounted on said stop means in aposition for abutment by the stock and spaced, when said stop is in saidpredetermined position, at a distance from said cutting means equal tosaid uniform length.
 5. A machine as recited in claim 3, wherein saidsensing means has first and second alternative operative conditions, andsaid rejecting means has a first position for directing pieces in onedirection when said sensing means is in a first operative condition anda second position for directing pieces in another direction when saidsensing means is in a second operative condition, and wherein saidsensing means is placed in said first operative condition by movement ofsaid stop means to said predetermined position, and in said secondoperative condition by movement of said stop means from saidpredetermined position.
 6. A machine as recited in claim 5, wherein saidsensing means comprises switch means actuable to said first and secondoperative conditions by corresponding movements of said stop means toand from said pRedetermined position.
 7. A machine as recited in claim3, together with lever means pivotally mounting said stop means for saidmovement lengthwise of the stock, and for oscillatory movement between aposition aligned lengthwise with the stock for abutment therewith and aposition misaligned from the stock to avoid interference with removal ofcut pieces thereof.
 8. A machine as recited in claim 7, in which saidholding means are constructed and arranged for placing said stop meansin said misaligned position upon completion of each operation of saidcutting means and restoring said stop means to said aligned positionprior to each subsequent operation of said cutting means.